While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that everyone is just ghosting their lives away, we’ve seen countless examples of how strong the work ethic is on every street and in every neighborhood in America. Hard work is alive and well and we asked some of the hardest working folks we know how they developed their work ethic.
Bobby Blackmon
My work ethic was born out of poverty. My parents were divorced and I was being reared by my maternal grandmother by the time I was 13. Grandma collected a little over $400 a month in social security benefits. We use to “splurge” on an .88 cents box of nutty bars once all the bills were paid. Read More>>
Mecca Holland
My work ethic comes from my parents. From an early age, they instilled in me the value of hard work—not just working hard when it was convenient, but showing up fully no matter the task. Read More>>
Stephen Ardeneaux
As a kid and teenager growing up, I watched my mom raise my sister and I on her own. She did this by opening up her home as a daycare. She worked hard and tirelessly to make sure that my sister and I had a roof over our head. Read More>>
Brittany Massingill
I credit my work ethic to the way I was raised. I grew up in a household where nothing was just handed to us. We were taught early on that if you wanted something, you worked for it, and that there was deep value in that process. Read More>>
Mark Hamer
I get my work ethic from my parents. My dad was a steelworker and my mom was a preschool teacher, and I grew up in a blue-collar, industrial city where hard work wasn’t something you talked about—it was just how life operated. Showing up, doing the job right, and taking pride in the work were simply expected. That environment shaped me early on. Read More>>
Kelsey Plaster
I get my work ethic from my parents! I grew up watching my dad build his business from the ground up- working endless hours, always being available to customers, doing whatever was needed to be done in order to finish the job. Along with the countless hours behind the scene, ordering parts, doing the books, etc. Read More>>
Amanda McAuliffe
I would definitely say I get my work ethic from my father. He has worked so hard his entire life, mastering just about every skill he sets out to learn. Read More>>
DJ Ragland
It all started from my unwavering desire to be the best. I realized that the only way to achieve greatness was through relentless hard work, as I firmly believed that hard work truly pays off. I am witnessing some of the positive outcomes of my efforts, but I am aware that there is still a long journey ahead. Read More>>
Svanna Andrada
my Papa, Jerry. He was a huge influence on my dad’s life. He never complained about early mornings or the brutal commute—sometimes three to four hours into the Bay Area. He took the role of provider seriously and carried it with pride. Read More>>
Jamie Irby
I credit the horses for my work ethic. Anyone that has horses knows what I am talking about. All throughout school, I would wake up early to feed and take care of horses before going to school. Read More>>
Hannah McDowell
I definitely inherited my work ethic from my dad. He’s always been incredibly driven, and growing up around that set a strong foundation for me. But on a deeper level, it’s something that’s been part of who I am for as long as I can remember. Read More>>
Christopher Bjorkman
Delaney Mahncke and I were both raised in hardworking low income families in the midwest. We were taught at a young age that if you wanted anything, you had to work your tail off for it. As a kid, I hated it. But as I grew older, I quickly realized how gratifing it was. Read More>>
Badass Tran
My work ethic comes from pressure, pride, and proof. • Pressure: Growing up Vietnamese in the Bay, there’s an unspoken expectation to survive, not complain, and outwork everyone quietly. That immigrant mindset—no safety net, no excuses—builds grind by default. • Pride: After going viral with “Big Dick Asian,” I didn’t just take the moment and coast. Read More>>
Mallory Callaghan
From a young age, my father significantly shaped my work ethic. Growing up in a single-parent household, he showed me the true value of hard work. Read More>>
Robert Lampkins
I got my work ethic from my grandparents. My granddad’s was always working, and my grandmas was always working on both sides of the family. So that made me wanna strive to be a better person by watching them growing up and picking up some of there qualities. Read More>>
Xinzi Luo
My work ethic comes from a combination of long hours in the studio and an inner sense of responsibility to the work itself. Sculpture and painting both require patience, physical endurance, and constant problem-solving, so discipline becomes an integral part of daily life. Read more>>
Eric Proos
Short answer is my dad. I was raised in the Midwest, metro-Detroit to be specific. After a family tragedy, my dad was left a single parent with two kids. I saw him work all day, then spend his evenings at mine or my sister’s sporting or school events, and then help us with our homework and make sure we were performing well in school. Read more>>
Tiffany Rae
My family and my friends! I have been fortunate to grow up watching hard working people stay committed to overcoming challenges to still get the job done. I have managed to take pieces of courage and strength from different family and friends. I also practice self care. Read more>>
Charlotte Mazey
I think I inherited it from my mom and my grandpa mostly. They both were/are entrepreneurs. My grandfather worked his butt off and started from nothing to create his own little empire. My mom other than seeing her create her own endeavors really did a good job instilling the ‘can do’ attitude in me. Read more>>
Madeline Eddi
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the way I was raised. My parents always encouraged me to try new things—sports, food, classes, basically anything. But what they taught me before diving into my next new adventure was the responsibility that came with each new thing. Whether I learned that on my own or not is another story. Read more>>
Roberto Baldea
I think it comes from looking at others, I had a friend in CEGEP (sort of pre-uni equivalent here in Quebec), who managed to be the student president, get involved in clubs, attend every class, be super sociable, and overall just being a great person and I found her so inspirational. Read more>>
Trenton Perry
Years and years of with the beautiful game of basketball! I’ve been blessed with some of the greatest coaches and mentors from the time I was in middle school till now. Nothing quite as humbling as showing up to a gym and quickly realizing that you’re not as good as you thought you were! Read more>>
Jose Castaneda
At a young age, I knew I wanted more for myself. By the time I was about 12 years old, I was already taking on odd jobs to earn money for the things I wanted. I had a paper route and mowed lawns for extra cash. Those experiences gave me the opportunity to earn my own money and taught me the importance of hard work. Read more>>
Daniel Adelpour
My work ethic comes from growing up in a family where perseverance and responsibility were the foundation of everything. I watched my parents rebuild their lives through discipline, sacrifice, and a commitment to doing things the right way, even when no one was watching. That mindset became the blueprint for how I approach both life and my career as a dentist. Read more>>
Yana Kanashko
It comes from being independent and taking full responsibility for my results. When I commit to something, I treat it like a business, not a hobby. I’m also very growth-driven and I don’t like doing the bare minimum. Being a UGC creator really sharpened that – deadlines, communication, and quality are non-negotiable when you’re working with brands. Read more>>
Elaina Anders
My work ethic comes from family. I was raised by hardworking parents and grandparents. I know that nothing worth something comes easy. My business is the sole provider for my family, so that fuels me to keep going, keep working, no matter what Read more>>
Justin Hunter
I trace my work ethic back to the people who shaped me and the God who guides me. I grew up watching men and women who didn’t just labor with their hands but with their hearts. They taught me that excellence is not an act, it is a reflection of your character. My faith refined that even more. Read more>>
Christopher Lynch
I get my work ethic from my parents. They both served in the Navy, and that foundation of discipline and accountability carried into their civilian careers. My mom became a trauma nurse, handling high-pressure situations with focus and compassion. My dad built a career in wealth management, where consistency and integrity are essential. Growing up around that shaped how I approach my work today. Read more>>
Karin Cubbage
Growing up, I didn’t fully realize how hard my dad was working to support our family. We were a family of eight children, my mother stayed home, and my dad worked mostly manual labor jobs. We definitely struggled financially, but I don’t remember him ever complaining about our circumstances. He had a responsibility, and he handled it, no questions asked. Read more>>
Jackie Sanders
As a child growing up, along with my 3 siblings, we were required to help around the house. Weekly chores, ranging from mowing and edging the lawn to cleaning toilets and bathtubs, were just part of being a contributing person in our home. The job was expected to be done, and done well. No corners cut. This was simply a part of my youth. Read more>>
Omar (Chito) Galvan
Where did I get my work ethic from? Well I can say first I give thanks to God because sometimes I don’t even know where my strength and my willingness to continue come from, but my parents , watching my dad and my mom work hard and stay committed to anything they set their mind to really shaped how I approach life. Read more>>
Trina Hannah
Growing up my parents always emphasized on how important hard work is. My parents are two of the most hardworking people that I know, both having their own companies. That has always inspired me to put in the work for the things that I want to accomplish in my own life. Read more>>
Danny Wonders
My work ethic derives from always striving to be the best version of myself. I never wanted to be the same and i learned early on that knowledge is power, the more I know the more I become, so when if i can end my day knowing i learned something new that means I was better that day, this then become an obsession, reading something i needed more information on, watching a tutorial, trying out new skills, all of this helped grow my confidence in working harder to become the best in what I do. Read more>>
Jordan Galland
I think my work ethic comes from how I grew up. Both my parents worked in the medical field, and took their responsibilities to patients incredibly seriously. I spent afternoons in my dad’s office doing homework and finding ways to keep myself busy while they finished up. Many nights I’d fall asleep and wake up already in the taxi home because they worked so late. That level of commitment to work was normal for me. Read more>>
Jock McKissic
Honestly, it comes straight from my mother. Growing up, she often had two jobs to make sure my older brother and I had everything we needed, but the part that really stuck with me wasn’t just what she did — it was how she did it. She didn’t just tell us to work hard; she brought us with her, showed us what discipline looked like up close. We’d help out during her second job, and without ever giving a big speech about it, she was teaching us the value of showing up, being accountable, and taking pride in what you do. Read more>>
Chris Uchacz
Work ethic……I am fortunate to have a strong one and will credit my father for instilling in me to always give 100% in whatever I was doing. Early in my life he taught me the value of a dollar and to work hard for each one I had the opportunity to earn. He taught me that anything I did in life was a direct reflection of me and those around me so work hard to create a strong and lasting impression. With over 30 years in a leadership role in NCAA Athletics I also learned the value of service and treating people with respect. My service mentality coupled with my strong work ethic has directly contributed to my success with creating and developing Coastal Home Watch & Concierge, LLC. Read more>>
